"I'm fine," I lie. "Just... still pissed off."
Not entirely a lie. I am pissed off. Furious, actually. But that's not why my breathing is labored and my jeans are getting uncomfortably tight.
"You didn't have to hit him," she says softly. "I know you did it for me, but... you could get in trouble."
"Worth it."
"Boone—"
"He deserved worse." I chance a glance at her and immediately regret it because the dashboard lights cast shadows across her face that make her lips look even fuller, even more kissable. "He deserved everything I wanted to do to him but couldn't because I needed to get you out of there."
"What did you want to do to him?"
Break every bone in his hands so he'd never touch another woman. Shatter his jaw so he'd never talk to one again. Make him feel every ounce of fear and helplessness he made her feel, then double it.
"Things that would've landed me in prison," I say instead.
She's quiet for a moment. Then: "I've never seen you like that before. So... violent."
"Did it scare you?" Please say no. Please don't be afraid of me.
"No." Her thumb traces circles on the back of my hand, and that simple touch shoots straight to my cock. "I felt safe. Even though you were terrifying, I felt... protected."
"You are. Protected. Always."
"Because I'm Colt's friend?"
The question catches me off guard.
"Because you're you," I say. "Because I give a shit what happens to you. Friend of Colt's or not."
She makes a small sound that might be a laugh or might be a sob. "You're a good man, Boone Sullivan."
I'm really not. A good man wouldn't be thinking about sliding his hand up her thigh right now. Wouldn't be imagining what sounds she'd make if he did. Wouldn't be wondering if her tits are as soft as they look, or if her nipples are hard under that tank top, or what she'd taste like if he—
I force my attention back to the road, jaw clenched so tight my teeth ache.
We're almost at the ranch. Almost to the safety of my cottage where I can put her in the guest room and lock myself in my own room and take a very cold shower while hating myself.
"Can I ask you something?" Nicole's voice is small again.
"Anything."
"Why did you come so fast? When I called?"
Because the thought of someone hurting you made me lose my fucking mind. Because I would burn down the world to keep yousafe. Because I've been in love with you for three years and the idea of anything happening to you is physically unbearable.
"You called," I say simply. "That's all I needed to know."
"But you didn't even ask questions. You just... came."
"What questions did I need to ask?" I pull onto the long driveway that leads to Promise Ranch. "You were scared. Someone was threatening you. Everything else was noise."
"Colt always says you're the noble one. The white knight." She laughs softly. "I always thought he was exaggerating."
"Colt talks too much."
"He loves you. All of you. But especially you." She squeezes my hand again. "Says you're the one who keeps everyone grounded. The one who believes in love when the rest of them are too cynical."
